Fall TV Analysis: Inside ABC's Hot Streak

Emily VanCamp When ABC introduced its fall schedule in May, the network's experts and rivals were skeptical. Not just were its aging dramas rapidly deteriorating, but ABC faced a formidable task in starting an astonishing 13 new series. It appeared just like a tall order for ABC Entertainment Group leader Paul Lee, who had been coming off his first full development season in the network. But as NBC sinks into a level much deeper slump, ABC has in some way handled to ignore the chances. It does not yet boast the rankings prowess of top-ranked CBS and Fox, but Lee is urged by his network's capability to debut a number of promising new series. "You will find there's large amount of quite strong pieces," he states. "Simultaneously we have reached make certain we sustain them which they stay strong with the year and beyond." ABC had badly happened from the gate this past year with DOA shows like My Generation and also the Whole Truth. But this year, executives staggered the network's launches, with a few new shows not really showing up until late October. Plus, the network caught a little of luck, controlling to ride the comedy revival wave and making use of two genres - fantasy and cleaning soap operas - where it works out there is a void to fill. "They frantically required to have an infusion of recent shows," states Horizon Media's Kaira Adgate. "However they have got a bit of wind within their sails." Early success tales include Not so long ago, a Sunday surprise that's now TV's No. 1 new drama among grown ups 18-49. "We understood it had been an incredible bit of television," Lee states. "There's a lot ambition in the storytelling." Meanwhile, Revenge, the sudser that Lee calls "scrumptious," is making the network competitive on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. (where ABC's performance expires 127 percent within the demo). The network has additionally grown its Wednesday evening comedy block, because of focal point Modern Family - TV's No. 2 scripted show among grown ups 18-49 and ABC's most-viewed sitcom because the 1998-99 season. Newcomer Suburgatory and sophomore sensation Happy Being will also be driving ABC's sitcom success as well as on Tuesdays, Tim Allen's Last Guy Standing is giving ABC its best comedy performance in the time slot inside a decade. Not all things have labored, including ABC's Charlie's Angels reboot. "I do not think we quite handled to breathe existence into that franchise," Lee confesses. "It did not work this time around, however it does not mean we wouldn't try it again. You need to make a move to interrupt out of the clutter." Period drama Pan Am can also be battling, and Lee hopes that some tweaks, for example putting the main focus back around the four central flight attendant figures, can offer a little more direction. "I believe there's a lot of goodwill toward that demonstrate,Inch Lee states. Among comedies, only Guy Up! has opened up to soft amounts. Veteran series like Grey's Anatomy, Dwts and also the soon-to-retire Desperate Average women will also be around the slide. Lee thinks Dancing could reverse that trend having a more compelling cast in mid-season. "Dancing rises and lower," he states. "Sometimes it comes down to whether we catch the atmosphere of the nation. I was lucky enough to get do this two times this past year. Personally i think that it'll return. Now that this year is visiting an finish, I believe individuals are finally beginning to actually relate strongly to that particular cast." Three hrs per week of older-skewing Dancing, however, is constantly on the lead towards the graying of ABC's audience, which now registers an average chronilogical age of 53.7 (the earliest the network has have you been.) "Older audiences and ladies often watch more TV, therefore it is not every that surprising that they are carrying this out well," Adgate states. Meanwhile, with the much cool product working, ABC may now find itself within the odd position of not getting enough room because of its hefty midseason bench. Shows browsing the wings include cheesy Kristin Chenoweth-brought drama GCB (seen by many people being an apparent Desperate Average women alternative) Shonda Rhimes' D.C.-set series Scandal, starring Kerry Washington the Ashley Judd vehicle Missing and thriller The River, none of with a time slot yet. Lee can also be bullish on approaching comedy Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 and it is even still offering the significantly panned mix-dressing sitcom Arrange It. "There's an concept of where we are likely to place it all, although we've not quite got all of the jigsaw pieces in position yet," Lee states. For next season, Lee states ABC is searching to take advantage of its comedy achievements in drama, the professional states he's searching for sophisticated character dramas that talk to an "affluent female audience." Despite its recent new achievements, ABC continues to be lower an impression from last season, calculating 9.7 million audiences (lower 1 % from 9.8 million last fall). CBS, in contrast, expires 2 percent (13 million) while Fox expires 21 percent (10.a million). But while ABC has handled to stem its bleeding, NBC continues to be in freefall, lower another 9 % (to 7.3 million). It's obvious that ABC will not challenge CBS and Fox for that top place this year. But as lengthy as Lee and Co. don't begin to build anticipation excessive, Adgate thinks the network is going to be fine. "It's encouraging, and they've to become pretty pleased they grown some seed products," he states. "It sometimes pays to become a little patient." Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!